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We’re going to talk about a credit union releasing new debit cards… in an arts magazine… that’s current issue is centered on LGBTQ+ pride… why?

“We take pride in progress, but we also use it to propel us forward,” said David Mickelson, VP Member Service Operations and Card Programs or UW Credit Union. “Creating real equity is a journey without a finish line. We continue to explore new ways to cultivate a sense of belonging, including enabling the use of preferred names on new plastics.”

UW Credit Union is dedicated to “looking inward, then outward.” The organization has put forth a variety of DEI efforts (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). One of their latest efforts is a rollout of four new pride and unity-themed debit cards.

The first card being issued features a design by Madison-based artist Mike Lroy. Lroy was commissioned by UW Credit Union to paint a mural in 2020, after their storefront on State Street was damaged during the Black Lives Matter protests.

“After the State Street branch had been damaged, we were looking at all of the plywood boards on the front of our store and thought that there has got to be a better solution to this,” said Adam Albrecht, owner of The Weaponry – the ad agency that represents UW Credit Union. “We thought, ‘What if we did something to pretty this up and give the community something beautiful to look at?’ There were other businesses on State Street doing the same.”

UW Credit Union has given Lroy very few rules. “We told Lroy: we want something that feels like it comes from our brand,” said Albrecht. “But we’re handing this over to you and your skillset to bring to life.”

Lroys mural on display at the UW Credit Union in madison

Lroy’s attention-grabbing mural was exactly what UW Credit Union was looking for. Since finishing the mural, the design has been used on t-shirts, face masks, Bublr bikes, and now a debit card.

“To me, the design reflects the energy of that time: 2020 on State Street,” said Lroy. “There was a lot of movement, a lot of confusion and to me that’s what the image feels like. Lots of directions, lots of movement, lots of opinions, and things like that. That’s where it came from.”

The next card was designed by the late Keith Haring. Haring was a popular artists in the 80’s, until he passed away of AIDS in 1990. “I grew up in the 80’s and was very familiar with his artwork before his passing,” said Mickelson. “The dancing card image really reflects joy, energy, and unity. Keith’s faceless dancing figures in a lot of his artwork reveal no hint of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation so I think this card really does a great job not only celebrating the LGBTQ+ community but all communities.”

“As we were exploring designs for another card, we came across these Keith Haring images that were quite popular,” said Albrecht. “We thought they expressed such joy in life and a sense of diversity and unity.”

"Keith Haring's message of love and unity is so relevant today and we're really happy to see his art used to spread that message to a young college audience," says Gil Vazquez, Acting Director of the Keith Haring Studio. Unlike Lroy, Haring isn’t here to see his artwork transformed into a debit card, but one could image the excitement he’d have. “This is a dream that I never thought of before,” said Lroy. “This is going to be an amazing experience to use my own debit card at my own bank with my artwork on it, it’s crazy.”

With the last two card designs, UW Credit Union really wanted to reflect on pride in the LGBTQ+ community. “That was a really fun project as well because all we were given is a request to use some sense of the pride flag and its colors, and to interpret them in a way that would feel fresh and unique,” said Albrecht. “We have two pride themed cards that are going to be released. One of them is very stylish and sleek and modern. The other one uses much bolder colors. When we round all four of these cards together they feel like a great expression of inclusion, acceptance, and an appreciation of art.”

Keith Haring

“Gay pride means something deep and historic to the queer community,” said Mickelson. “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, being recognized by a growing number of businesses, like my employer UWCU, still feels really significant in 2021.”

Whether you are opening a new account, or are an existing UW Credit Union member, these cards are available to anyone who wants them!

“A debit card at the end of the day is just a small piece of plastic unless you put something much more meaningful on it,” said Albrecht. “Being able to pull a little piece of optimism out of your pocket every time you are ready to make a purchase will be helpful to our communities.”